Sunday Morning

Sunday morning again..... reflecting and counting my Blessings.

I was dragging the chain, bit overdue with my checkups, but finally got them done and I am in very good shape, lose a bit of weight of course, but it can't get much better than that.

Then someone contacted me after about 20 years, we had a long catchup on Facebook chat yesterday...... Facebook does have its uses.  They will visit us when passing through at the end of October.

It was windy for a couple of days (well not much more than a breeze I suppose), but it died down yesterday and I was able to get out in my simple little garden for a couple of hours.  I have five blooms on my shamrock, lots of heartsease, day lilies, and my lavender is out.... Spring must be just around the corner.

 Pic from file

Thinking back on the lovely memories from last weekend too.

Reflecting on  For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.  Acts 17.28 KJ

Church this morning so I must get going soon.  Have a Blessed weekend everyone.

Photos from the weekend away

I came that you may have and enjoy life and have it in abundance,
    until it overflows.   - John 10:10

A few more photos from the weekend.

Late Saturday afternoon

I'm not keen on vehicles on beaches

On the way to the beach Sunday morning

The sun kissing the land

Take care and God Bless.

Hugs - Jan

Home from the weekend

It was a very worthwhile weekend at the retreat.

The guest speaker had a lovely manner and really held everyone's attention in the four sessions on the topic - The Undivided heart.   It was also special that three sisters, who live in different places, came together to be the music team.  There were 60 live-in women, and 50 visited for the day on the Saturday.

Of course there was an abundance of food, and I know many had good intentions not to overindulge, but I think we all slipped up.... desserts, cakes and slices at morning and afternoon tea, and supper (cuppa mid evening) too.

We had plenty of time for walks on the beach and chatting.  There was a glorious sunset with apricot clouds strung right across the sky on the first afternoon as we drove towards the venue, but they had lost their colour by the time we arrived.

The CWCI committee added lots of little touches, hearts with encouraging thoughts and bible texts on all the doors for example, and thoughout the campsite, chocolates on our pillows a couple of times, and on the Saturday night, special place mats and purple decorations. It was a musical evening, with a trivia competition by table, and many songs and laughs.

It was all very conventional, not Charismatic or Pentecostal, yet we felt His presence, and there is something so special about time-out with our sisters in the Lord.

I'm wondering about my camera, as the sand is yellow.
The sun was just kissing the land.

Early morning on the way to the beach

What happens at a retreat?

A photo from last year's retreat, before sunrise at low tide. 

Sorry I can't find the original this is only a few kbs

Now a few words from the brochure for the retreat this weekend.

WHAT HAPPENS AT A RETREAT?

Your meals will be cooked for you
Wonderful fellowship with other Christian women
An inspiring speaker, with time for personal ministry
Time for quiet reflection
Ample free time to stroll on the beach sit and chat, or do... Whatever!
Recharge your batteries, have a laugh, rest relax and be refreshed.
JUST DON'T MISS IT! 

 It is a busy week, we sing at two Homes today and one tomorrow, then I leave for retreat mid afternoon, then we have two fairly clear weeks, except for the usual local activities, so it will be nice to reflect and catch up then.

Random Thoughts

Just a few random thoughts on Sunday morning.

# 1. 7.00am Sunday here and a calm beautiful gorgeous day coming up. I can hear the birds outside my window, giving thanks for another day.

# 2. Thoughts and prayers with our friend whose Mom was admitted to hospital.

# 3. A big thankyou to all with messages about my back.  I'm not 100% yet.  We missed tennis on Friday morning, Barry didn't want to go by himself,  and an old-time dance last night

# 4. Just had a great chat with friends on Live Messenger.  Whoever can meets at 1.00pm BC Canada time, 9.00pm London time and 6.00am (the next day) my time.  Also a friend from Argentina some days.

# 5. I am so pleased we have this technology, and the opportunities that come with it, the door is open to the world and so much knowledge.

# 6. A nice quiet day at home today..... the lavender is coming out in my garden, and we are still picking mandarines, and lemonades, and the lime and lemon trees are loaded.  We have been having a fresh lemon drink to start the day.

SPRINGTIME OF THE SOUL  One minute devotions B J Hoff
Summer flowers 
will vanish from the garden,
Autumn leaves will fall,
blown by the wind,
Winter's cold will come
and may seem endless....
But the Springtime of the soul will never end.

God has given us eternal life,
and this life is in His Son. 1 John 5:11

Here is an old favourite from Hillsong.  Hear our Praises.



Love and Blessings,
Jan

Being Thankful on Thursday

We had such a wonderful concert today. It is our favourite place to go anyway. All the staff, and the residents who can, just show so much appreciation. The Activities Officer hugged me 3 or 4 times, and so many of the residents wanted to hold our hands as they told us how much they enjoyed our show. 

It is a place with plenty of room for our big sound system, and it sounded so good after our small system yesterday, even though we were happy with it at the time and the people there were very appreciative and said it sounded good. I think we will take the big system every day from now on, we can fit it in, just that the small one has been sufficient quite a few places.

The other thing I was thankful about was Barry's voice sounded really good, he's getting back to normal after that respiratory virus that has dogged him since we went away in June.


I am also giving thanks that I hurt my back, it gives Barry a chance to do little things for me.... it was my fault.... I leaned across our large case that I was packing up into, and picked up a heavy timber piano stool that I had moved, and lifted it and swivelled around to replace it under the piano. I knew straight away that I had "done it", though from previous experience I expect to be right again in a max. of two days. Just remind me to get under things that I intend to lift.   I do not expect to be playing tennis in the morning!!!!!  

We sing again at 3pm tomorrow. 

Random Dozen

Have fun!!!

1. When was the last time you laughed until you cried?
I laugh a lot, and I do remember laughing and not being able to stop, but not what it was about. I know there were a few of us there at the time.

2. If you found $10 today, what would you do with it?
Well if it was obviously no-ones, like in the gutter out the front, I could say I would give it to a good cause, but more likely it would end up with our bills and get used when one of us needed change.

3. Do you volunteer anywhere? Absolutely, we give concerts at nursing homes and for seniors about eight times a month..... we went today, and also tomorrow and Friday this week

4. What is your favorite summertime veggie or fruit, and how do you eat it?
Mango, with other fruit and greek yoghurt

5. Is your social sphere (circle of friends) small, medium or large?
Well that is relative isn't it. We mix in different groups, tennis, church, motorhome friends, going to old-time dances etc. 

6. When was the last time you attended a family or school reunion? How did that go?
Never been to a school reunion, but attended two other reunions in Sydney around the end of June, one from a church from 1980s, and the other to do with my First Fleeter Family going back to 1788.

7. When you're feeling blue, what is the best way someone can cheer you up?
I almost never feel blue, and I get over it in an hour or two.

8. Have you taken a vacation this summer?
It is winter here in Australia, and yes we went to Sydney and had time with both my children and families and Barry's brother in the Blue Mountains.

9. What is the most unnecessary item you carry with you all the time?  ?? I have a couple of handbags, and usually start from scratch each day, so no extras there.... so have to say a bit of excess weight.

10. What is the best summer flick you have seen so far?
Only go to the movies when I'm with daughter, and we didn't go this last time.

11. Describe a perfect summer day. 
Being cool enough would be the first requirement... doesn't matter much what I do if all is well, family safe, we are in good health.

12. Please a share a favorite photo from the summer so far!

 At my daughters, late afternoon

 Thank you, Linda, for setting up Random Dozen.  To see all the others, click here

Have a Blessed week.

Hugs - Jan

TODAY - Journal

TODAY
Outside my window... Dark now, but it has been drizzling most of the day.  I heard there is a flood warning for an inland town in our State, NSW.

I am thinking... Nice today..... we had two lots of friends drop in (not at the same time)... we love to see them and have a good chat

I am thankful for... the fellowship we have in this town at the places we go

From the kitchen... we will have fresh fruit and greek yoghurt soon.

I am wearing... still my walking clothes from this morning.

I am creating... order in the garden again, did quite a bit on Sunday afternoon, and planted a few rocket seedlings in some empty spots in the front garden yesterday...LOL.

I am going... singing, we will be going to Lismore the next three days, I was a bit surprised I thought it was two days, got up very early this morning to check.

I am reading... The Firstborn Advantage by Dr Kevin Leman. I don't remember if I've mentioned this before. It was surprising to recognise some of my traits in the book.

The website

I am hoping... that this gentle rain continues, and it doesn't get heavier.

I am hearing... well, I've just muted the TV, an insight program is on, and I didn't like the lies the politician was saying.

Around the house... the washing is waiting for someone to fold it...LOL

One of my favorite things... Daffodils. They don't grow here, but I bought a bunch last week. They are still perfect.

A few plans for the rest of the week....Singing, tennis, a quiet weekend I think.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

 With love and Blessings for a lovely week.

Hit a Roo

One of my grandaughters was driving and hit a kangaroo last night.  Fortunately she only got a got a small dent and broke a headlight, as it went over the top.  It is so scary when the young people (she will be 18 in a week or so)  have to drive at night, on the country roads.  She was returning over the Blue Mountains from a weekend conference in Sydney towards a certificate for her year 12 (last year in High School).  I am so proud of her that she kept her nerve and stayed on the road.

I remember when we attended her debutante ball in September 2008, and we were returning to my daughter's place, just the older generations, very slowly, and we came around a corner and a cow was standing slap-dab on our side of the road.... any normal speed and we would have ran head-on into it. Wombats are very bad at night in that area too. 

As it says in 1 Peter 5:7, we can only hand all our cares and worries over to Him, as He cares for us.
We need to do this to keep our peace of mind,  and our joy in life.

Pic, one of my favourites, taken a few years ago.

Pic last year with her Mum, my daughter

Weekend Retreat

I registered for our Women's Weekend Retreat later on in August today. Most of the ladies from my Bible Study attend. I went last year and it was a special time.

The guest speaker has been a Missionary in the Solomon Islands, and from her bio has 3 married children and 8 grandchildren.  All the topics for the sessions are about Heart - A Pure heart, A heart that hears from God, Love with all your heart, A heart of extravagant worship.  We are to wear a touch of purple for the Saturday night dinner.   I wonder what it will be this year.  Last year the committee dressed up and entertained us with hits from the musicals.  They had even made us a placemat each with a collage of programs, and a black and white headpiece feather concoction, so we were really spoiled.

The venue is at Lennox Head. Pics from website. This is the beach we will have access to.

and an outdoor area at the campsite.

More later.

Hope you are all enjoying your weekend.

Love and Blessings - Jan

7 Quick Takes Friday

For more 7 Quick Takes, visit Jenn

# 1. Gorgeous winter weather again this week, with daytime temperatures up to 23C.  We give thanks that we came to live here, in His timing.  Barry was just talking to his brother on Skype, and he was complaining how cold it has been where he lives.

# 2. I appreciated reading the book   90  Minutes in Heaven by Don Piper, this week.  I see that 4 million copies have been sold. 

 

# 3. Barry has been getting our bicycles ready for us so that we can ride them around our neighbourhood for exercise and fun.  It is flat, so that is a blessing.

# 4.  We had an evening out with friends this week.  Lynn is the leader of a group called The Messengers, and we were with them for a while.  We swap notes a bit, and music too. Lynn is coming over on Monday afternoon for some help on the computer and also for some music from Barry.  Here is the banner I made for her.  It looks better than the pic.

 

# 5. It is good to be back singing at the Nursing Homes, after our extended time off because of Barry's respiratory virus. It hung around for such a long time.   

# 6. I am always amused when even after nearly 10 years, our dog still regularly hops up into my chair, and pretends she is alseep, even though she always has to move.  She is such a willing loyal friend.

# 7. Just heard on the News....  Australians are not so concerned the new PM lives with a partner as they are that she does not believe in God.   Julia Gillard, who proclaims herself as an Athiest, ousted the elected PM about 6 weeks ago and called an election for 21st August, but this election campaign has not been all smooth sailing.

Today's Verse

All your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal.

— Psalm 119:160

 Have a Blessed week.

From my Skies File

For some wonderful Skywatch pics click here.

These pics taken near Texas QLD

Have a great week everyone, God Bless
Jan

Memories - trip to QLD

I'm joining Smiling Sally for Blue Monday today.  Looked back in my file to a trip to QLD.

 

Happy Blue Monday!!!

Frightening wind, Snow

Just chatting to my daughter in the west of the Blue Mountains, NSW, and the wind is frightening there, and it is snowing.... She doesn't know if she will be able to drive to work tomorrow!  My thoughts with any other Australian friends in this weather pattern too.

We are on the Northern Rivers of NSW and have had such a warm weekend, I'm sitting here in the middle of winter at 9.15pm in a T-shirt.  Might be a different story in a few days.

We were down there when the weather was extraordinary last September, there was an incredible dust storm that carried dust right across to New Zealand, then snow, then wind that was so strong it turned a semi-trailer over not far from her home.  We had to wait for it to die down to leave. 

One of the reasons we chose to live here, we could count the windy days in the year on one hand....

Here are a couple of pics from back then....

The alpacas took shelter from the snow

A couple of kangaroos in the snow

We had a fairly quiet weekend, now I need to get another knitting project going, I missed it today.  It will be for Care and Share as we don't need anything ourselves.

It was also Friendship Day today, though I haven't heard of it here in Australia, just see mention of it online, and that it has been going in US since 1935.   

Thank you for your kind hands of friendship.

Have a Blessed week.   God Bless.

Hugs - Jan